THE AMERICAN TURKEY 259 



parts in the vicinity of villages and navigable 

 waters." From this gentleman's careful observa- 

 tions we learn that the Wild Turkey has consider- 

 ably modified its disposition within the past twenty 

 years. Formerly they were somewhat stupid and 

 unsuspicious birds, but now no bird or animal in 

 the country is more alert or more difficult to 

 approach. Although, as we have stated, this 

 Turkey is a resident, it is subject to much wander- 

 ing about, usually going in flocks of from two or 

 three to twenty individuals. Sadly significant is 

 the fact that, whereas in earlier years large droves 

 might be met with, single birds and small parties 

 have now taken their place. 



The Turkey is polygamous, and upon the females 

 devolve all care of the eggs and young. In Florida 

 the pairing season begins as early as February, but 

 in more northern haunts a month or so later. This 

 love season lasts for about three months, and during 

 that interval the males are very pugnacious, seem 

 to lose a good deal of their wariness, and are said to 

 be easily lured by the hunter imitating the call. 

 The hen birds make a scanty nest upon the ground, 

 often at the foot of a tree or beneath the shelter of 

 a bush. This nest is merely a shallow hollow 

 scantily lined with dry grass and withered leaves. 



